Phenomenon, possibility, and prediction analysis of laminated bamboo embedment performance

Laminated bamboo (LB) has shown enough exceptional performance to be used in constructions, but the performance of the bolted connections remains to be explored. To meet the criteria of low-carbon construction and fill the research gap in LB dowel embedment performance, this study examined the longitudinal dowel embedment behavior of LB. Failure modes, load–displacement curves, embedment strength, and elastic foundation parameters were examined after four sets of half-hole specimens with dowel diameters (6, 8, 10, and 12 mm) were tested in accordance with ISO 10984-2. The majority of the data was confirmed to follow a normal distribution by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Interlaminar shear failure (dominant in 10 and 12 mm groups) and local crushing (dominant in 6 and 8 mm groups) were the primary failure modes. There were clear linear and nonlinear phases in the load–displacement curves (excellent ductility). The average elastic foundation modulus was 3565.55 MPa (0.39 times the compressive modulus); meanwhile, the average proportional limit, yield, and ultimate strengths were 35.48, 63.08, and 74.44 MPa (0.59, 1.06, and 1.25 times the parallel-to-grain compressive strength). The ultimate strength varied from 72.64 MPa to 76.71 MPa as the diameter rose; however, the elastic foundation beam coefficient dropped significantly. A novel calculation based on LB’s parallel-to-grain compressive strength accorded well with test results, while the existing code formulae (GB 50005, NDS, and CSA O86) overestimated LB embedment strength. The design of LB bolted connections is guided by this study, which also explains LB embedment criteria and offers design parameters and a prediction method.